<p>is it really true that the only UCs that actually read the personal statement are Cal and UCLA? I'm asking because of the prompt about my major. I've fulfilled pre-reqs for some programs that I want to apply to that depend on the school... and they are pretty different.</p>
<p>So if all of the schools scrutinize that section of my personal statement, then damn... this is going to be a little tough. If it's only Cal and UCLA, then it's manageable.</p>
<p>high GPA will be enough for UCSD and UCSB, indeed, they don't put much time (or even none) for your PS except when your GPA is pretty low and they are on the edge of whether or not accepting u. If your GPA is far below average (0.15 or more)for your majors at Cal and UCLA (do research yourself), then you may want to focus on the major at the other school. Ps has 2 prompts, only the second one really need to talk about your experience or aspiration in your major, I would reccomand you to focus on the phylosophy though, cause u have SB+LA.</p>
<p>Gotcha, thanks. I should have added that my GPA is 3.73. The average admit GPA for Philosophy at UCLA was 3.4 last year if I remember correctly. UCSB probably a bit lower- same for UCSD.</p>
<p>Anyone know the average admit GPA/how much they weigh the personal statement at Cal?</p>
<p>Not sure about the average admit GPA for Berk last year (Rhetoric that is). But I do remember them stating that the personal statement was a pretty big part of it. Almost as important as GPA. All I remember when I was talking with a rep:</p>
<ul>
<li>When asked to list a hardship, don't put down anything along the lines of "couldn't afford a new pair of sneakers last summer". Then she started mentioning an anecdote about one student writing about a time they were so poor they had to eat tissue paper.</li>
</ul>
<p>Considering how much time she spent going over the personal statement, I'd wager to say they weigh it pretty heavily.</p>
<p>Fact: Morgan Webb graduated from Berk with a degree in Rhetoric.
Why do I know that?</p>